Guns & Ammo testing top 10 compact 9mm's & malfunctions

[HAP1978]

Just got this month's Guns & Ammo mag in the mail today. They had a really interesting article where they were matching the top 10 most popular 9mm compacts and tested them against each other. They fired 650 shots through each one. For those who criticize Kahr's reliability and cry rivers about it, this is for you!

1. Beretta Nano - 9 malfunctions.

2. Glock 43 - 0 malfunctions.

3. Kahr CM 9 - ZERO MALFUNCTIONS.

4. Kel-Tec PF 9 - 10 malfunctions.

5. Ruger LC 9 - 1 malfunction.

6. Sig Sauer P290RS - 3 malfunctions.

7. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield - 1 malfunction.

8. Springfield XDs - 2 malfunctions.

9. Taurus 709 SLIM - 0 malfunctions.

10. Walther PPS - 0 malfunctions.

[yqtszhj]

That looks about right for the ones on the list I have shot.

[DavidR]

... and for those who criticize Taurus reliability ...

[ESAFO]

there will always be brand loyal fans no matter what anybody says, i will try any brand & not worry about my hand falling off if i do hold it.
this being said if something was sooo bad the company would'nt be in business, there are many factors on how a malfunction can happen.

[HAP1978]

... and for those who criticize Taurus reliability ...

Funny you mention that, they said the Taurus was one of the favorite pistols and they had quite a few people involved in this test. Just goes to show you.

[Streetkahr]

Just got this month's Guns & Ammo mag in the mail today. They had a really interesting article where they were matching the top 10 most popular 9mm compacts and tested them against each other. They fired 650 shots through each one. For those who criticize Kahr's reliability and cry rivers about it, this is for you!

1. Beretta Nano - 9 malfunctions.

2. Glock 43 - 0 malfunctions.

3. Kahr CM 9 - ZERO MALFUNCTIONS.

4. Kel-Tec PF 9 - 10 malfunctions.

5. Ruger LC 9 - 1 malfunction.

6. Sig Sauer P290RS - 3 malfunctions.

7. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield - 1 malfunction.

8. Springfield XDs - 2 malfunctions.

9. Taurus 709 SLIM - 0 malfunctions.

10. Walther PPS - 0 malfunctions.

I am not really surprised that the Kahr, Glock, and Walther had 0 malfunctions. I am also not surprised that the Kal-Tec had 10. As to the rest, especially the Sig, it would be interesting to know the round count for the malfunctions in order to understand if it fell within normal break in. In addition, some pistols just do not run well if they are very dirty. In the old days (30-35 years ago), I would do a quick cleaning at the range after 100 rounds or so on my Series 70 Colt 1911, C-Series BHP, and my revolvers to eliminate that variable that might undermine my confidence in the the handgun.

IMO, from what I have observed, new shooters these days seem to have lost the knowledge that new guns need to be broken in and kept clean, as well as the knowledge that some malfunctions are due to the ammo not the gun. In the old days, if we got a malfunction in the first 200 - 300 rounds, we did not consider the handgun unreliable. We understood it was being broken in. When I broke in my old Series 70 Colt 1911, I had two FTE's and one failure to chamber in the first 100 - 200 rounds, but it ran flawlessly after that. It was just picky regarding accuracy between ammo brands. I eventually sold it and bought a C Series BHP. The BPH had no failures during break in and it was not so picky about ammo brands. I ran GECO 124 g FMJ for range ammo, and I carried it with Federal 9BP JHP which could blow out X rings. I eventually gravitated to revolvers. I consider the Kahr K9 a replacement for both the BPH and small revolvers and a perfect marriage between the two. It has the grip profile of the BPH and a better trigger than any small revolver I have owned. The K9 and two spare mags are easily concealed. I always found that Safariland speedloaders would print under my shirt but K9 spare mags do not.

[berettabone]

... and for those who criticize Taurus reliability ...

we will continue to question.................................

[kwh]

No failures in my 9mm Taurus G2 Millenium PT111 2nd generation *using 115 gr ammo*.

[Nytcrawler93]

Taurus is the only hand gun that I have had the safety snap off while using. I have shot a lot of guns and it remains the only one that failed catastrophically and could not be fixed at the range. I am sure all brands have lemons but this was before round 100..... Taurus 1911 in 45.


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[marcinstl]

I saw a copy of the comic book in question at the gun store, SCCY had the back cover ad, that's usually enough for a mention, if not a win. go get a copy of MotorTrend and buy the car of the year. for gun reviews check gunblast, that guy loves them all.

[downtownv]

The Sig 290, would hardly would classify as "Most Popular" This was and remains a dog! The 938 should have been in it's place.

[berettabone]

I would like to know what ammo was used........................................

[muggsy]

I am not really surprised that the Kahr, Glock, and Walther had 0 malfunctions. I am also not surprised that the Kal-Tec had 10. As to the rest, especially the Sig, it would be interesting to know the round count for the malfunctions in order to understand if it fell within normal break in. In addition, some pistols just do not run well if they are very dirty. In the old days (30-35 years ago), I would do a quick cleaning at the range after 100 rounds or so on my Series 70 Colt 1911, C-Series BHP, and my revolvers to eliminate that variable that might undermine my confidence in the the handgun.

IMO, from what I have observed, new shooters these days seem to have lost the knowledge that new guns need to be broken in and kept clean, as well as the knowledge that some malfunctions are due to the ammo not the gun. In the old days, if we got a malfunction in the first 200 - 300 rounds, we did not consider the handgun unreliable. We understood it was being broken in. When I broke in my old Series 70 Colt 1911, I had two FTE's and one failure to chamber in the first 100 - 200 rounds, but it ran flawlessly after that. It was just picky regarding accuracy between ammo brands. I eventually sold it and bought a C Series BHP. The BPH had no failures during break in and it was not so picky about ammo brands. I ran GECO 124 g FMJ for range ammo, and I carried it with Federal 9BP JHP which could blow out X rings. I eventually gravitated to revolvers. I consider the Kahr K9 a replacement for both the BPH and small revolvers and a perfect marriage between the two. It has the grip profile of the BPH and a better trigger than any small revolver I have owned. The K9 and two spare mags are easily concealed. I always found that Safariland speedloaders would print under my shirt but K9 spare mags do not.

This post has earned the Muggsy seal of approval. Well done, Streetkahr.

[CPTKILLER]

Nice

[Pointblank]

Same results that I have gotten. Walther PPS and Kahr CM9 are my light carry guns.

[TimtheRef]

Glad to not see a Bersa showing well. My dad had a little Bersa .380 about 10 years ago. I went with him for his second or third time ever taking it out. First shot went bang, and the slide stayed locked back. Couldn't get it to go forward for anything. Dropped the mag, tried it all. Took it to the gunsmith at the range. The slide and frame had fused together, irreparable, and became a $300 paperweight as Bersa wouldn't do anything about it. I have some brand loyalties and some I don't care for, but Bersa is one brand that will never receive a dime from me.

[berettabone]

I am almost embarrassed for Beretta.............................that Nano, from what I hear, is not real good. Should have taken more time and more testing. Could have been a winner with some performance..................

[Longitude Zero]

The Sig 290, would hardly would classify as "Most Popular" This was and remains a dog! The 938 should have been in it's place.

I am no fan of the P290 but the 938 is a POS boat anchor nothing more.

[SlowBurn]

Ruger LC9S would have been a more interesting Ruger to compare.

[DeaconKC]

I wish they would have properly cleaned and lubed the guns during the test. I know they were trying to do a worst case scenario, but I would have found it more accurate and useful had the guns been run to their maker's specs.

[Longitude Zero]

I wish they would have properly cleaned and lubed the guns during the test. I know they were trying to do a worst case scenario, but I would have found it more accurate and useful had the guns been run to their maker's specs.

Start out that way but shoot till failure w/o cleaning. That gives a pretty good idea its fault tolerance due to lack of care or just generalized usage. Not every gunowner keeps a clean and lubed gun all the time.

[Cubby]

I know that my guns will shoot when clean. i want to know how they will do when they are "Dirty"!

[yqtszhj]

I am almost embarrassed for Beretta.............................that Nano, from what I hear, is not real good. Should have taken more time and more testing. Could have been a winner with some performance..................

That is a fact. The wifes nano had some fail to extract issues and likes 124gr or heavier. It likes to be CLEAN too. It shoots nice but the CM9 beats it in every way except in ease of racking the slide.

[Iowalefty]

I would like to know what ammo was used........................................

Article states that 8,000 rounds of Winchester 147 grain Train & Defend loads were used.

[Iowalefty]

Ruger LC9S would have been a more interesting Ruger to compare.

It was actually the Ruger LC9s Pro used in the comparison.